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Do Business in Minnesota - Q4 Newsletter

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December 2025 | Do Business in Minnesota Newsletter

Downtown Minneapolis at sunset

Business Expansions in Minnesota

ALTER Technology has opened a new 14,000-square-foot semiconductor testing facility in Plymouth, Minnesota. The site includes a 4,000-square-foot Class 10,000 clean room and features advanced testing equipment for high-reliability microelectronics. The $4.5 million project is supported by $275,000 in state funding through the Minnesota Investment Fund and Job Creation Fund and is expected to create new jobs in the region. As Minnesota strengthens its role in the national semiconductor supply chain, ALTER’s facility supports critical industries like aerospace, medical, and photonics.
Niron Magnetics, Inc. will construct a new 190,000-square-foot facility in Sartell, Minnesota to produce up to 1,500 tons of permanent magnets annually in 2027. The total project cost is $169.7 million and is anticipated to create 175 new jobs.
In partnership with the University of Minnesota, North Wind will construct and develop the Minnesota Aerospace Complex (MAC) in Rosemount, a dedicated facility focused on advancing the United States' hypersonic ground testing, modeling and simulation capabilities. Once completed, the MAC will serve as the country's premier aerospace complex for hypersonic system research, development and testing. The cost for the initial phase of the MAC is approximately $191.5 million and is anticipated to create 40 new jobs.
NVent, an electrical enclosures and liquid cooling equipment for data centers maker, signed a lease for a new 117,000-s.f. production facility in Blaine, Minnesota. The project anticipates adding 175 new jobs.

Minnesota in the News

Recent Trade Mission to Germany and Switzerland

Strengthened vital international partnerships and showcased our state’s leadership in medtech, cleantech, agriculture, and education. These efforts are driving long-term economic growth.

Hennepin Tech receives $4 million in state funding to expand robotics program

Hennepin Technical College received over $4 million from DEED’s Minnesota Forward Fund to establish a microelectronics manufacturing training pipeline. The fund supports business growth in key industries and provides matching dollars for federally backed programs.

Minnesota ranked 3rd for best state to find a job

WalletHub compared the 50 states across 34 key indicators of job-market strength and economic health.

Minn. University Projects for Aerospace, Semiconductors Receive Funding

The Minnesota Forward Fund awarded $50 million for an aerospace research facility to be co-led by the University of Minnesota, and $5 million for semiconductor manufacturing hub at the University of St. Thomas.

DEED Empowers Ag Training and Career Growth

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has announced $2.4 million in grants to seven organizations through its Growing Careers Program. The initiative aims to strengthen the state’s agricultural workforce by supporting training programs for individuals entering agriculture-related careers.

Shovel Ready Site Highlight: North Branch Interstate Business Park

The North Branch Interstate Business Park offers a premier development opportunity in a strategic location just 30 minutes north of the Twin Cities. This shovel-ready site spans up to 82 acres and is ideally suited for assembly, manufacturing, or distribution operations. With immediate access to I-35 and one mile of freeway frontage, the site provides exceptional visibility and logistical advantages. All essential infrastructure—including ponding and utilities—is already in place, and the property offers potential access to the St. Croix Valley Railroad. Businesses locating here can also benefit from 22 incentive programs offered by the City of North Branch, making this a cost-effective and growth-ready destination for industrial development.

To explore more Shovel Ready sites, follow this link.

Success Story: North Freeze Dry

North Freeze Dry produces premium freeze-dried pet food for leading international brands—an essential product for pet owners across Minnesota. Its facility in Little Falls is one of the largest and most advanced in the industry, fully integrated to manage the entire freeze-drying process with cutting-edge technology that ensures food safety. With support from DEED’s Minnesota Investment Fund the company boosted production by adding a new Spiralizer machine. North Freeze Dry also recently expanded into a new 80,000-square-foot facility, creating 97 new jobs and significantly increasing its manufacturing capacity. With the expansion, they were able to create 93 new jobs.

North Freeze Dry's new Spiralizer machine.

Recent Business Development Public Infrastructure (BDPI) Awards

The city of Wabasha was awarded $749K to build access to a new barge terminal, boosting river commerce and sand reuse. The $6M total project will create 10 jobs, retain 15, and generate $1M annually in tipping fees to fuel future development.
The City of Detroit Lakes was awarded $1.2M to expand Tower Road Industrial Park, adding 16 new lots. With high demand and low inventory, the city anticipates $6M in private investment and 150 new jobs over 5 years.
Plainview secured $1M to kickstart the Rolling Plains Business Park, unlocking 9 new lots. Local company Boettcher Transport will anchor the site with an $870K expansion, creating jobs and driving $2.2M in private investment.

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